Rotating warning lamp having a planar light source

ABSTRACT

A rotating warning lamp device comprises one or more planar illumination devices, one or more collimating devices configured to collimate illumination generated by the planar illumination devices, and a rotating reflecting device configured to reflect the collimated illumination. The rotating warning lamp further comprises a rotating device coupled to a base and coupled to and configured to rotate the reflecting device. Finally, the rotating warning device further comprises a cover lens coupled to the base and configured to enclose the planar illumination device, the collimating device, the reflecting device, and the rotating device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention is directed towards rotating warning lamps. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus utilizinga planar illuminating device in a rotating warning device, such thatoptical energy and efficiency is increased.

[0002] Normally a flashing warning lamp, which is also termed a rotatingflashing device, is coupled to an accident related vehicle, e.g.,police, ambulance, and fire vehicles or tow trucks. Other uses ofrotating warning devices have been on vehicles to warn people of theirpresence and possibly stationary state, e.g., buses and constructionvehicles. When rotating warning devices are used in conjunction with anaccident vehicle the rotating warning device may include a color filteror color lens designating a type of vehicle, e.g., blue and red forpolice, white and red for ambulance and fire, and yellow fornon-emergency. Warning lamp color conventions and the intensity of theillumination are generally established by governmental regulationsand/or industry standards in an effort to establish minimum safetystandards.

[0003] Traditionally, these rotating warning devices are activated whena vehicle is moving, when caution around a vehicle is needed, or whenthe vehicle is stopped to assist in any number of situations. Usually,either a light source or reflecting device will rotate within a clear orcolored filter/lens. One problem with these devices is that conventionallight sources have a limited life and thus the warning lamps tend to bemaintenance intensive.

[0004] Hence, there has been a need to develop a high intensity rotatingwarning devices having fewer components. In addition to minimizingcomponentry, another reason for developing high intensity warning lampsis to alert people who might not be paying as much attention as theyshould that they need to take precautions in an area where one of thesevehicles is located. One method used to create a high intensity warninglamp was to utilize halogen-type light sources. As thought they providea high intensity illumination, unfortunately, halogen light sourcestypically draw more energy than incandescent bulbs and are moremaintenance intensive. To solve some of the problems associated withhalogen light sources, manufacturers have employed multiple circuitboards with light emitting diodes (LEDs) as light sources programmed toflash in certain sequences to simulate a rotating warning lamp beacon.Unfortunately, to get suitable lighting intensity required the use ofsubstantial amounts of LEDs. Thus, in order to simulate a rotatingwarning lamp, prior LED-based warning lamps generally required numerousLED boards be fixed at specific predetermined angles to achieve 360degree coverage. These multi-LED board based lamps also need to becoupled to some sort of processor to control a sequence in which theLEDs are energized to simulate the flashing done through rotation inprior art devices. Unfortunately, this design is maintenance intensiveand expensive to make and repair.

[0005] Accordingly, there exists a long-felt need in the rotatingwarning lamp art for a simple, durable, high intensity, and lowmaintenance rotating warning lamp that optimizes the amount of lightoutput while minimizing the structural complexity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to the present invention a method and apparatus for arotating warning lamp comprises a planar illumination device, acollimating device configured to collimate illumination generated by theplanar illumination device into substantially parallel light beams, anda reflecting device configured to reflect the collimated illumination ata predetermined angle. The rotating warning lamp further comprises arotating device coupled to a base and coupled to and configured torotate the reflecting device. Finally, the rotating warning devicefurther comprises a cover lens coupled to the base and configured toenclose the planar illumination device, the collimating device, thereflecting device, and the rotating device.

[0007] A main advantage of the present invention is that a single planarlight source, preferably with LEDs, an electro-luminescent film, lightemitting polymer (“LEP”) or other solid-state lighting means, isconfigured in a rotating warning lamp with sufficient output intensitycompared to prior art LED-based systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Further features of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art to which the present invention relates fromreading the following specification with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a rotating warning device accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the rotating warning device in FIG.1;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a planar illumination device according to anotherpreferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0012]FIG. 4 is an assembled view of a rotating warning device accordingto another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0013] A device 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, the device 10 is a rotatingwarning lamp utilizing a planar illumination device. The device 10comprises a closing device 12 that coupled to a base 14, where thecoupling of the closing device 12 and base 14 is configured to form aprotective enclosure. Closing device 12 may be either fixed or removablycoupled to base 14. Preferably, the closing device 12 is a transparentclear or colored lens which is manufactured from glass or a plasticmaterial. Although not shown in the drawings, closing device 12 may beprovided with optics for achieving specific distribution of the lightgenerated by device 10. The device 10 further comprises a planarillumination device 16 and a parallel light forming device 18, where theparallel light forming device is designed and positioned to transformthe light from the planar illumination device into substantiallyparallel light beams as generally depicted at 19, 19′. (See FIG. 2).Preferably, the planar illumination device 16 is an array of LEDs andthe parallel light forming device 18 is comprised of a correspondingarray of collimating lenses. In an alternative embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3, the planar illumination device 16′ is comprised of a substrate16′A and an electro-luminescent film or LEP 16′B, where the source 16′Bemits a suitable amount of light when energized.

[0014] The device 10 further comprises a reflecting device 20 positionedto reflect the parallel light beams 19, 19′ generated by illuminationsource 16 at a predetermined angles to the source, and a rotating device22 coupled to the reflecting device 20 and configured to rotate thereflecting device 20 thereby delivering the generated illumination in acircularly reciprocating pattern, 360 degrees around the device, apattern common to rotating warning lamps.

[0015] With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the rotating device 22 isshown in detail. The rotating device 22 comprises top and bottombearings 24, 26, a drive shaft 28, a motor 30 with a worm drive portion32, a worm gear 34, and a motor housing 36. Referring additionally toFIG. 2, when assembled the top bearing 24 passes through and interactswith openings in the motor housing 36, the planar illumination device16, the parallel light forming device 18, and an extension 38 extendingfrom a surface 40 of the reflecting device 20, in that order. Passingthrough top bearing 24 is a top section 42 and a portion of drive shaft28. A bottom section 44 of drive shaft 28 engages with a central openingin worm gear 34, passes through the bottom bearing 26, and is seated inbase 14, in that order. Once assembled, the top bearing 24, the lowerportion of drive shaft 28, motor 30, worm gear 34, and bottom bearing 26are positioned in the motor housing 36. The top section 42 of driveshaft 28 engages extension 38 to drive reflecting device in a rotatingmanner when motor 30 is energized.

[0016] With continuing reference to FIG. 2, preferably, the reflectingdevice 20 is molded from a clear plastic material and employs eithervacuum metalized or hot stamped metal foil as the reflecting surface 46and clear planar sections 48. It has been determined that there is anadvantage to coating the non-confronting surface of section 48 with areflecting media in that, in addition to being easier to manufacture, itenables the media to be applied only to the planar surface of thereflecting device and not to extension 38. Maintaining the transparencyof extension 38 is preferable because it maximizes the amount ofreflected light that is actually transmitted through covering 12. It maybe desired to have the reflective surface 46 to be reflective on bothits sides, in effect a double-sided mirror, in order to reflectillumination which may be generated from either above or below rotatingreflecting device 20.

[0017] Preferably, in operation one or more of device 10 aremechanically coupled to a vehicle (not shown) and powered by the vehiclevia an electrical coupling (not shown). Once powered and activated by auser of the vehicle, the planar illumination device 16 (or 16′) isenergized and generates a high degree of illumination in a 360 degreepattern around the vehicle. Through the configuration of the planarillumination device 16, assuming continuous illumination of the LEDswith each having an illumination beam spread of 5 degrees, the device 10provides approximately 72 times more optical energy that theconventional fixed, flashing LED-based systems. Thus, in the preferredembodiment, substantially fewer LEDs are required in the planarillumination device 16 to perform a similar function as the multi-boardfixed systems using flashing, board mounted LEDs. Further, by using asingle, continuously illuminated, planar illumination device 16, insteadof the plurality of flashing LED boards, as employed in the prior artsystems, there are fewer components, fewer interconnections, and lessenergy consumption, which results in lower costs, increased efficiencyand greater reliability. Another benefit is that the configuration ofdevice 10 allows for the quick and simple replacement of the motor 30independent of the remainder of the device.

[0018] In operation, the rotating device 22 interacts with thereflecting device 20 to transmit parallel light beams 19, 19′ (shown asdashed lines in FIG. 2) that are formed by energizing the planarillumination device 16 (or 16′) and passing the illumination through theparallel light forming device 18. The rotation of reflecting device 20is accomplished through the translation of force delivered by worm driveportion 32 of the motor 30 to worm gear 34. The worm gear 34 then turnsthe shaft 44, which is coupled via top portion 42 with extension 38 ofthe reflecting device 20, thus causing the reflecting device to rotate.Parallel light beams, as at 19, 19′, reflect from reflecting surface 46of rotating device 20 to form substantially horizontal parallel lightbeams, depicted by dashed lines 21, 21′, for delivery in a 360 degreepattern around the vehicle.

[0019] It should be appreciated that the planar illuminating device 16may employ LEDs of a single color or a combination of differentlycolored LEDs to achieve a desired illumination output. Additionally, orin the alternative, the parallel light forming device 18 may beconstructed from either clear or colored material in order to create adesired illumination output given a particular color of the illuminationsource.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternative preferred embodiment ofdevice 10 is shown as 10′, with all corresponding elements numbers beingthe same as FIGS. 1-2 for like elements. Device 10′ comprises anadditional planar illumination device 16″ and an additional parallellight forming device 18″. Planar illumination device 16″ is preferablypowered from a power source (not shown) common to planar illuminationdevice 16 in a manner that would be readily understood by those skilledin the art. Accordingly, if employed simultaneously with thecomplementary planar illumination device 16, device 10′ can providearound twice the amount of illumination, in the form of two warningbeacons 180 degrees apart, as compared to a single beacon produced by asingle illumination device. In an alternative embodiment, planarilluminating devices 16 and 16′ each employ LEDs having contrastingcolors, say red and yellow. In such an embodiment, the device 10′ wouldexhibit a lighting pattern comprised of rotating warning beaconscorresponding to the contrasting red and yellow colors of the sourceLEDs.

[0021] From the above description of the invention, those skilled in theart will perceive improvements, changes and modifications in theinvention. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skillof the art are intended to be covered.

I claim:
 1. A device comprising: a planar illumination device; aparallel light forming device positioned to transform light generated bythe planar illumination device into parallel light beams; a reflectingdevice positioned to reflect the parallel light; and a rotating devicecoupled to the reflecting device and configured to rotate the reflectingdevice.
 2. The device according to claim 1 further comprising: a base;and a closing device; wherein the rotating device is coupled to the baseand the closing device is configured to enclose the planar illuminationdevice, the parallel light forming device, the reflecting device, andthe rotating device by coupling to the base.
 3. The device according toclaim 2 wherein the closing device comprises a lens.
 4. The deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the planar illumination device comprises aplanar array of light emitting diodes.
 5. The device according to claim1 wherein the planar illumination device comprises anelectro-luminescent film.
 6. The device according to claim 1 wherein theplanar illumination device comprises a light emitting polymer.
 7. Thedevice according to claim 4 wherein the parallel light forming devicecomprises an array of collimating lenses corresponding to the array oflight emitting diodes.
 8. The device according to claim 1 wherein thereflecting device comprises a mirror having at least one reflectivesurface.
 9. The device according to claim 1 wherein the reflectingdevice comprises a vacuumed metalized reflecting device.
 10. The deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the reflecting device comprises a hotstamped foil reflecting device.
 11. The device according to claim 1wherein the reflecting device is configured to redirect the parallellight beams in a predetermined pattern.
 12. The device according toclaim 1 wherein the rotating device comprises: a motor housing; a motorcomprising a worm drive portion coupled to and configured to bepositioned in the motor housing; a worm gear coupled to the wormportion; and a drive shaft coupling the worm gear and the rotatingdevice, wherein the drive shaft is configured to rotate the reflectingdevice.
 13. The device according to claim 1 further comprising: a secondplanar illumination device; and a second parallel light forming devicepositioned to transform light from the second planar illumination deviceinto parallel light beams; a second reflecting device having dual,oppositely disposed reflecting surfaces; wherein the second planarilluminating device and the second parallel light forming device arepositioned on opposite sides of the second reflecting device as theplanar illuminating device and the parallel light forming device.
 14. Arotating warning device comprising: a planar illumination device; acollimating device configured to collimate illumination generated by theplanar illumination device; a reflecting device configured to reflectthe collimated illumination; a base; a rotating device coupled to thebase and coupled to and configured to rotate the reflecting device; anda cover lens coupled to the base and configured to enclose the planarillumination device, the collimating device, the reflecting device, andthe rotating device.
 15. The rotating warning device of claim 14 whereinthe planar illuminating device comprises an array of light emittingdiodes.
 16. The rotating warning device of claim 14 wherein the planarilluminating device comprises an electro-luminescent film or lightemitting polymer.
 17. The device according to claim 14 wherein theplanar illumination device comprises a light emitting polymer.
 18. Therotating warning device of claim 14 wherein the collimating devicecomprises an array of collimating lenses corresponding to the array oflight emitting diodes.
 19. The rotating warning device of claim 14wherein the reflecting device comprises a mirror having at least onereflective surface.
 20. The rotating warning device according to claim14 further comprising: a second planar illumination device; and a secondcollimating device positioned to transform light generated by the secondplanar illumination device into parallel light beams, wherein the secondplanar illuminating device and the second collimating device arepositioned on an opposite side of the reflecting device as the planarilluminating device and the collimating device.
 21. The rotating warningdevice according to claim 13 wherein the planar illuminating device andthe second planar illumination device have visually contrasting outputs.22. A method comprising the steps of: generating illumination utilizinga planar illumination device; collimating the generated illumination;reflecting the collimated illumination by a rotating reflecting device;and projecting the reflected illumination in a reciprocating circularpattern corresponding to the rotation of the reflecting device.